Articulated cover for an opening



May 9, 1967 W. HAMILTON ARTICULATED COVER FOR AN OPENING 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. WALLACE HAM/LT/V ATTORNEYS &318,361

May 9, 1967 W. HAMILTON ARTICULATED COVER FOR AN OPENING 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 1, 1965 INVENTOR.

9'3 WALLACE HAMIL T0N ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,318,361 ARTICULATED COVER ]FOR AN OPENING Wallace Hamilton, Chagrin Falls, OlIiO, assignor to Lewis Welding and Engineering Corporation, a Corporation of Oho Filed Mar. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 436,116 12 Claims. (Cl. 160-193) This invention relates to plural panel type closures having mounting and supporting means, but being Operated by external means, and more particularly, this invention relates to hatch covers of the non-automatic type which are Operated by attaching a rope, chain or other flexible means to an operating Cable or rope carried by the hatch cover system.

Although the present invention is applicable to openings in general, including Such openings as garage doors, trap doors, and the like, it has particular Utility in the maritime field for use as hatch covers and accordingly, the balance of this description will be confined to this particular use it being understood that the principles hereof -may be applied to closures for other openings.

Present day freight carrying vehicles are usually provided with a plurality of intermediate decks not only for the purpose of providing lateral Support for the vessel, but also for the purpose of providing storage levels for cargo. Each of these decks is provided with one 'or more hatchways which provide access to succeedingly lower decks and storage space. From necessity, these hatchways are of quite large cross-sectional area. The cover plates for these openings, are, therefore, composed of a plurality of individual panels usually two, four, or more. Most usually, the number of panels which are hinged together is two or four, either covering an entire opening in the deck or one-half thereof. Prior hereto where four panels have been used, two panels have been hinged Or connected together to form two separate pairs of panels adapted to open along the center line between the innermost panels. In Order to effect an opening of such a hatch cover it has been necessary to first Connect a line from the Ship's crane, otherwise identified herein as the ship's gear, to the pair of hinged panels adjacent the hinged side of the hatch cover, and to raise them into tented and folded relationship eXposing one-half of the opening. This mode of opening interposes in many cases structural impediments to such operation, e.g. loss of effectiveness around chafing bars, etc. It was then necessary to disconnect the line from this pair of panels or single panel and to reconnect it to the second pair of panels or panel for the purpose of repeating the operation to eXpose the other half of the opening. This is a tedious and time consuming operation. Where there is .a plurality of hatch covers and a plurality of decks, the amount 'of time consumed in Opening the hatch covers by this method is considerable and the cost of loading and unloading the ship is thereby materially increased.

It has now been found that folding hatch covers of a plurality of panels or more can easily be opened by a single operation which depends upon providing within the hatch cover itself a unique system of pulleys and a flexible rope reeved therethrough.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed 'out in the appended Claims, the following description and anneXed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but a few of the various forms in which the principle of this invention may be employed.

Briefly stated, the present invention is in the provision of a rope Operated articulated cover for an opening, which cover comprises 'a plurality of adjacently disposed cover panels. Hinge means are provided coacting between the confronting marginal edges of the panels for l of relative rotation between successive panels. There are provided within one of the panels, first means for changing the direction of application of a force applied at the free end of a rope which means are mounted upon an aXis parallel to the aXis of the hinge aXis and disposed between the hinge aXis and the center of gravity of said panel. Second means for changing the direction of application of force applied at one end of a part of rope are also provided and mounted on an aXis parallel to and spaced from the aXis =of the hinge means and `carried by the panel which is next adjacent to the panel including the first direction changing means. A rope is reeved between the first and second direction changing means and provides a part of rope coacting between the first and second direction changing means in tension to notate the panels about the hinge means. Finally, the remaining free end of the rope is anchored.

In operation, the free end of the rope which may be fitted with a suitable eye, is retrieved through an opening in the cover panel first above-mentioned and hooked to the ship s crane, or ship's gear. By pulling on the free end of the hatch cover rope, the panels can be caused to tent a pair at a time to effect an opening of the hatchway. Thus, whether two Or four or more panels are utilized for closing the opening or one-half thereof, a single attachment of the ship's gear to the hatch cover rope means will effect an opening of the hatchway.

The invention may be better understood by having reference to the annexed drawings Which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention utilizing two and four closure panels, and wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective illustration of a hatch cover utilizing four panels to close the hatchway.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged Scale of the articulated cover illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the pulley and hatch cover rope system for operating from a single point a four panel hatch cover.

FIG. 3 is a crOss-sectional view showing the four panel hatch cover of FIG. 2 in the fully open position.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary partially 'Cut away view -of a two panel hatch cover showing in top plan view a pulley and rope system for operating a pair of panels from a Single point.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the pulley support means as it appears in the plane indicated by the line 6 6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the free end of the rope and its extension through the panel as it appears in the plane indicated by the line '7 7 'of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a top elevational view of a fragmentary portion of one of the panels as it appears in the plane indicated 'by the line 8 8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation on an enlarged Scale of a pair of panels in tented or partially open relation and showing the parts of rope tending to move the undersides of each of the panels towards each other to eflect an opening of the 'hatchway.

Generally, the mechanism, Which is externally powered, and by which the articulated cover is opened includes a system of hinges co -operating between panels and a rope and pulley system carried within the cover body. In a four panel system, i.e. where a hatch cover comprising four panels is used to cover the opening or one-half thereof, the first pair of panels to open is opened by a lever and block and tackle system which co-operate with the first pair of panels, pivoted at one edge and hinged at their confronting edges, to cause them to tent by folding along the hinge aXis of relative rotation, the oppovbers. tural rim members, e.g. members 17, 18 and 119 and site edge of the first-to-open pair being supported by the sides of the hat-chway and also dragging with it the unopened second pair `of panels running on rollers along the sides of the hatchway. The first pair of panels is connected, e.g. through a pin jointed link, or hinge to the Second pair of panels along the confronting edges. After the first-to-open pair is fully or nearly fully opened, the second pair is opened by a different pulley and rope means although the rope of the block and tackle assembly is common and continuous with the rope' means for opening the second-to-open pair of panels. A novel feature of the invention is the rope and pulley system for opening the second-to-open pair of panels. The system operates first to start a tenting operation along the hinge axis between the confronting edges of the second pair of panels. The rope extends through the cover and has its direction changed in such a manner that an upward component of force operates to lift one panel at a point between the hinge axis and the center of gravity of the panel. The rope then passes into a direction changing pulley system carried by the next panel so as to establish at least one part of rope acting in tension between the hinged panels tending to rotate the panels about the hinge axis 180 of relative rotation and draw the undersides of the panels together.` The remaining end of the rope is'either snubbed or anchored to one of the panels, or is effectively snubbed by having performed a panel opening-operation, as in a four panel closure, and therefore, is effectively anchored. It may of course be actually anchored in a four panel assembly by securing it to the adjacent framework of the opening, or by a dead end under a panel where the part of rope extending from the tenting operator, for example the block and tackle assembly, to the dead end acts in tension to draw the undersides of the panels together as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, in theplural' panel systems, there areprovided hinged panels, atleast one lifting pulley in One panel, means for changing' the direction of a rope in tension,

and means for disposing 'a part of rope between at least one pair of panels for r-otating the panels 180 of relative' rotation about the hinge as force is applied to the far end'of therope, and means for anchoring the other end of the rope.

FOUR PANEL HATCH COVER' 3 Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1-3 of the an- V ,nexed drawings, there is shown a hatch cover, generallyv indicated at 10, for covering an 'opening or hatchway 11 in the deck ofwa ship, e.g. intermediate deek 12.v In'the embodiment shown, the hatch cover is composed of four adjacently disposed rectangular vsections or panels, e.g. panels 13, 14, and 16. The panels are of conventional design being framed from structural steel mem- For example, panel 13 is 'constructed from strucintermediate members, e.g. member 20, disposed between the rim members and secured thereto, forming a frame for the panel` 13. The frame structure is then covered with a cover plate 21.

The panels arehinged together at their confronting marginal edges for 180 relative rotation :between successive panels. Also, for folding purposes, the panels are hingedtogether in pairS. For example, panels 13 and 14 are hinged together along their confronting marginal edges 8 and 9 respectively, by hinge 25,'and form a front pair of panels, generally indicated at 22. Panels 15 and 16 are hinged together along their confronting marginal edges 6 and 7, respectively by hinge 26, and form a rear pair ofpanels, generally indicated at 23. The pairs of panels, 22 and 23, respectively, are hinged together along their confronting marginal edges 4 and 5, respectively or at their juncture 34 by hinge 27, and designed to fold against each other (FIG., 3). Each pair of panels is hinged to permittenting of their respective panels over the opening 11.

Supports for positioning the hatch cover 10 relative to the opening 11 as it is opened and closed, are provided at juncture 34 and the free ends 28 and 29, respectively of the, hatch cover 10. In the embodiment shown, a fixed support 30 is provided at end 29, and roller supports 31 and 32 are provided at end 28 and juncture 34, respectively. Any suitable means for hinging end 29 to the adjacent hatchway or hu-ll framework 33 may be employed, e.g. hinge 24.

Roller Support 31 comprises a Wheel mounted on either side of the hatch cover 10, e.g. Wheel 35 mounted in bracket 36 secured between rim member 17 and cover plate 21. Roller support 32 comprises a pair of Wheels mounted on either side of the hatch cover 10, e.g. Wheels 37 and 38 mounted in brackets 39. The Wheels of Supports 31 and 32, respectively, are guided along trackways, e.g. trackway 40, Which are -coextensive with, and adjacent, each side the opening 11. supports 31 provide movable pivots around which panel 13 rotates, and supports 32 provide movable pivots around which panels 14 and 15, respectively, rotate. The supports permit tenting of the panels above the opening 11, whereby the panel 13 'may be folded against panel 14, and panel 15 may be folded against panel 16, and the pair of panels 22 and 23 are folded against each other.

An arm 45 is secured to the end 29 of the hatch cover 10, and extends downwardly and rearwardly therefrom as shown in FIG. 2. Arm 45 acts as a lever, and force applied to its free end causes panel 16 to rotate about its hinge axis adjacent the -hatcbway 11, e.g. pivot pin 46 of hinge 24. If desired the arm 45, intermediate its extremities, may also be pinned to the adjacent framework 33. The pin and hinge axes must coincide however. In the embodiment shown, the arm 45 comprises a pair of arms 47 and 48, respectively, secured in spaced parallel relation to a bracket 49. The bracket 49 is secured to the marginal edge 29 of the hatch cover 16, which in this particular case is rim member 19 of panel 16. The arms 47 and 48 are similar and are substantially L-shaped having their free ends 50 (not shown) and 51, respectively, extending into a plane below the plane of the hatch cover 10 when closed. A pair of pulleys, e.g. pulley 52,'are rotatably mounted in side-by-side relation between the free ends of the arms 47 and 48, respectively, by pivot pin 53.

A pair of pulleys, e.g. pulley 54, are mounted below the hatch cover 10 prefera bly in side-by-side relation, and in spaced relation to pulleys 52, by any suitable means. For example, the pulleys 54 are mounted for rotation between barckets 55 by pivot pin 56'. Brackets 55 are secured to a bar 57. Bar 57 traverses the Width of the opening 11 and is secured to the ship s -hull by any suitable means.

A rope or Cable is then reeved around pulleys 52 and 54 forrning a simple block and tackle, generally indicated at 61. The block and tackle 61 is used to increase the force applied to the free end of the arm 45, initiating its rotation about the piv-ot pin 46, whereby the panel 16 rotates about the pivot pin 46 and hinge axi's, causing the panels 15 and 16 to tent and fold together (FIG. 3).

Block and tackle'61, is designed such that the number of parts of rope required, will easily accommodate the Weight and size' of panels 15 and 16. For example, in the embodiment shown, panels 15 and 16 which form the rear pair 23 are smaller in size than the front pair of panels 13 and 14, respetcively. This permits use of a smaller block and tackle system i.e. fewer parts of rope, as the force to r-otate'the rear pair of panels 23 is not as great as when the panels 15 and 16 are as big, or larger than panels 13 and 14. The block and tackle System forms an important part of the overall reeving System in a four panel system which Will hereinafter be more fully eX- plained.

' A plurality of chafing bars, pulleys, rollers or Wheels are used to change the `direction of force applied to the cable 60 'for tenting and 'for folding the panels together adjacent one side of the Opening 11.

A lift pulley or sheave 66 is rotatably mounted in panel 13 between the center of gravity of the panel 13 and the hinge aXis 25 between panels 13 and 14. A guide pulley '65 is desirably mounted in the -panel body to prevent rope 60 from chafing against the plate 21 as it moves through opening 63. Pulley 67 is also mounted in panel 13 between pulley 66 and the forward marginal edge 28 of panel 13. In the preferred embodiment, it is located with reference to pulley 69 in the next adjacent panel body 14 such that the most efficient use of the part of rope 60a may be made when that part of rope is placed under tension after the tenting of panels 13 and 14 has been initiated. Fair-leader pulleys 68 and 70 are disposed on opposite sides of pulley 69 to guide rope 60 around operating pulley 69, and to position the rope below the Structure of the cover 10. Part of rope '60b leads into the block and tackle 61 composed of pulleys 52 and 54 above described and, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, provides 'four parts of rope adapted to coact in tension between the distal end of lever arm 45 and the fixed pulleys -54 to tend t-o bring these two points together and thus effect a tenting of panels 15 and 16 about the hinge pin 26. Part of rope 606 leads from the block and tackle assembly 61 and is anchored to adjacent framework 33, or t-o the body of panel 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the free end of the rope 60 is anchored by means of an eye bolt 73 threadedly engaged in bracket 74 which is welded or otherwise secured to panel 15. Element 71 is a 180 groove which changes the direction of the rope 60 and guides the rope as it alternately enters and leaves the guide in response t-o its position relative to pulleys 52.

The pulleys 67, 68, 70 and groove element 71 are so positioned relative to the bottom of the panel bodies that the rope 60 is kept free of bottom structure for bridgin-g between the panels whereby the 'various parts of rope may co-operate in tension to -pull the panel bodies together about the respective hinge aXes to dispose the Cover in the fully open position shown in FIG. 3. Rope 60 eX- tends through the plate 21 of panel body 13 and is fitted With a hook eye 62 to which the ship`s gear can easily be hooked to operate the hatch cover.

As previously mentioned, in designing the panelscomprising the firSt-to-open pair of panels, namely, panels 15 and 16, their weight or correlative size is such that with a given block and tackle system, the 'force operating on the lever arm 45 fulcr umed at 46 is sufficient to initiate tenting of panels 15 and 16 above the opening or hatch way and to drag panels 13 and 14 along the side rails 40 (FIG. 1) on the rollers 35, 37 and 38 (and Corresponding rollers disposed on the opposite side rail, not shown in FIG. 1) while the latter two panels are still untented, or in a horizontal position relative to the hatchway. Because of the mechanical advantage of the simple machine, e.g. block and tackle assembly 61, these panels are caused to open first. In actual operation, after panels 15 and 16 have arrived at their fully open position, there is noticed a substantial increase in the force required to cause tenting :of panels 13 and 14 about hinge aXis 25. Panels 13 and 14 in the preferred embodiment of a four panel closure, are the second to open panels.

The free end o f the cable 60 is fitted With an eye :bolt 62, and is hooked to the Ship`s crane or ship's 'gear as previously mentioned. Cable 60 passes through a slot 'or opening 63 in the cover plate 21, which is, referably, spaced between pulleys 65 and 66, and eXtends into a panel 13 between pulley 65 and pulley 66, and is reeved around pulley 66 in a counter clockwise direction. The cable 60 eXtends from pulley 66, and is reeved around pulley 67 in a clockwise direction.

Cable 60 is brought from pulley 67 along the bottom of the hatch cover to panel 14, and reeved in a clockwise direction, on pulley 68. Cable 60 is then reeved on adjacent pulley 69 in a counter clockwise direction. Cable 60 is taken from pulley 69 and reeved on pulley 70 in a clockwise direction. The cable 60 is then brought back and reeved around and between pulleys 52 and 54, respectively, forming the block and tackle 61.

In the embodiment shown, the block and tackle 61 'utilizes a double reeving system. Cable 60. is brought from pulley 70, and reeved on pulley 54 in a counter clockwise direction. Cable 60 is eXtended to pulley 52, and reeved therearound in cl-ockwise direction. Cable 60 is brought back to a second similar pulley 54 and reeved therearound in a clockwise direction. The cable 60 is eXtended back to a second similar pulley 52 and reeved therearound in a clockwise direction. Cable 60 is then brought back 'under the hatch cover 10 to panel 15, where it is reeved around immovable .groove 71, in a counter clockwise direction. The cable 60 is then snubbed or anchored to panel 15 by any suitable snubbing Or anchoring means, eg. eye bolt 73 bolted to a bracket 74, which is welded to the cover plate 72 of panel 15. The respective pairs of panels are secured together in opened position by any suitable latching mechanism, eg. latches 41 and 42, respectively, engaging bolts 43 and 44, until it is desired to cl-ose the hatch cover 10. After opening, the shi'p s gear is disconnected from the hatch cover and utilized in the usual fashion to load or unload cargo. Thereafter, the cable is rehooked to eye bolt 52, the latch mechansm is then disconnected, and the force on the cable 60 is slowly rem oved by reeling out the cable from the ships gear. In opening the hatch cover 10, the line pull or force required to initiate folding of panels 15 and 16 is less than that required to initiate folding of panels 13 and 14, therefore, panels 15 and 16 will Open first. When the hatch cover 10 is closed by unfolding the panels, the converse is true. Thus, as the Cable 60 is un- -reeled, panels 13 and 14 begin unfolding .first because the line pull transmitted through to the block and tackle system is in excess of that required to hold panels 15 and 16 in open position, albeit less than that suflicient to hold panels 13 and 14 in open position. When panels 13 and 14 have unfolded, panels 15 and 16 begin unfolding forcing panels 13 and 14 to move along the trackway in a 'direction away from the pivot aXiS, and to cover the opening 11.

Spring means, not shown, may be used to initiate unfolding of the panels after which their weight will tend to cause closing. Portion 76 of the deck 12, adjacent the rear marginal edge 29 of the hatch cover 10, is hinged to the adjacent deck 12, and designed to float to an open position with the hatch cover 10 as it is opened and closed. This is necessary because of the rotation of the hinges, eg. hlnge 24, and pivot arm 45 about' the hinge and pivot aXis (FIG. 3).

TWO PANEL HATCH COVER Referring generally to FIGS. 4-9, and particularly to FIGS. 5 and 9, there is shown another embodiment of the invention; a hatch cover, generally indicated at 80, composed of a pair of adjacent panels 81 and 82.

Panels 81 and 82 are of conventional box frame design and construction. For example, panel 81 is constructed from structural rim members, e.g. members 83 and 84, and intermediate members, e.g. member 85 (FIG. 4), disposed therebetween and secured thereto, forming a structural framework Which is covered by a cover plate 86.

Panels 81 and 82 are hinged together at their confronting marginal edges 87 and 88, respectively, by hinge 89. The hinge permits relative rotation between the adjacent panels 81 and 82.

A fixed support 96, around which panel 82 rotates, and 'a movable support 97, around which panel 81 rotates, are provided at the opposing free ends 91 and 94, respectively, of the hatch cover 80. The fixed suppor-t 96 comprises a pair of brackets or hinges, e.g. hinge 90, secured to the free marginal edge 91 of panel 82. The hinges are mounted to the hatchway opening 11 by pivot pin 92.

The movable support 97 comprises roller means e.g. Wheel 93, mounted on either side of the panel 81 adjacent its free marginal edge 94. The Wheels are mounted to the panel 81 'by any suitable means, e.g. Wheel 93,is mounted to bracket 98 welded to panel 81, by pivot pin 99. The Wheels are movable along trackways adjacent their respective sides of the hatchway opening 11, e.g. Wheel 93 is movable along trackway 95 adjacent the hatchway opening 11.

A lift pulley 100 is mounted in the panel body 81, 'between the center of gravity and marginal edge 87 for the reasons previously mentioned, and preferably as close to edge 87 as possible. Pulley 100 is carried between paralleled brackets 101 and 102 (FIG. 7), which are secured between the rim member 84 and the cover plate 86. The pulley 100 is rotatably mounted on the brackets 101 and 102"'by pivot pin 103. Pulley 100 preferably extends below the bottom of panel 81. A slot 104' (FIGL 8) is located in the cover plate 86 'adjacent pulley 100, as in the four panel closure above described.

A fair-leader 105 is mounted on panel 82 between marginal edge 88 and the center of gravity of panel 82. Itwill be seen that rope 119 when reeved as shownin FIGS. and 9 will lift the panels mainly through pulley 100, but tenting is assisted by location of fair-leader 105 between the center of gravity and the hnge aXis 107.

A pulley or Wheel 106 .for changing the direction of force applied thereat, is mounted within the panel 82, intermediate pulley 105 and' marginal edge 91. Fairleader 105 and pulley 106 are mounted onpanel 82 by any-suitable means, e.g. parallel brackets 108 and 108a (FIG. 6) between cover plate 109 and body side member 110. Pulleys 105 and 106, respectively, are rotatably mounted on brackets 108 and 10811 by pivot pins'111 and 112, respectively. Fair-leader 105 and pulley 106, preferably, extend below the bottom of panel body 82.

It Should be noted that the lift pulleys 66 and 100, respectively, and pulleys 69 and 106, respectively, for changing the direction of force applied thereat, of hatch covers 10 and 80, respectively, are similarly disposed on their. respective panels, and are used for the same purposes, i.e. to cause initial tenting of the panels and folding of the panels overthe hatchway. i

A rope or cable 119 is reeved around the pulleys mount- 7 ed in the panels 81 and 82, respectively. When the hatch cover 80 is in closed position (FIG. 5), the cable 119 extends down through the slot 104, into front panel 81, and is reeved on pulley 100 in a clockwise direction. Cable 119 isbrought below the 'hatch cover 80, to rear panel 82 and reeved' on pulley 105' in a clockwise direction. The cable 119 is passed around fair-leader 105 and extends to'pulley 106, and reeved therearound in counter clockwise direction. Cable 119 isthen brought back be- 7 low the hatch cover 80 to panel 81 and reeved around immovable groove 120 in a counter clockwise direction. Cable 119 is then anchored Or snubbed to panel 81 by any suitable anchoring or snubbing means, e.g. it is secured to an eye bolt 121, which is bolted to a bracket 112 secured to cover plate 86.` The free end of the cable 119, 'extending from panel: 81, is secured to an eye bolt 123.

In operation, the free end of the cable 119 or eye bolt 123, is secured -to the ships crane or ship's gear. Tension is applied to the cable 119 'as it is reeled in' by the ship's winch. The system of reeving causes Vertical force to be applied to pulley 100, which initiates tenting of panels 81 and 82 above the hatchway 11. Further` applied force,

causes panel 82 to rotate aboutthepivot pin or hinge axis .92, and panel 81 to fold against panel 82 (FIG. .9). Panels 81 and 82 are then latched together in opened position adjacent one side of the hatchway 11, by any Suitable latching mechanism e.g. latch 41 and ,bolt 43 (FIG. 3)'.

The ships gear is then unhooked from hook eye 123 and used in the normal manner for loading and unloading cargo. When it is desired to cover the hatch opening, the ship's gear isrehooked to the eye 123, the latches are unlocked, and cable 119 is reeled out causing panels 81 and 82 to unfold over the hatch opening 11. Spring biasing means tending to unfold the panels may be employed -to facilitate closing of the hatch cover.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, When panels 81 and 82 are folded together, pulley Will be in spaced relation from and below pulley 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, reeving the rope 119 in counter clockwise direction about pulley 106, enables the application of an initial lifting force against pulleys 100 and 105, respectively, which causes the panels to tent and fold together as force is applied to cable 119 by the Ship's winch. Parts of rope 11961 and 11917 coact between the panels in tension to cause the panels to rotate about hinge axis 107 of relative rotation to the fully Open position.

The design of the block and tackle system, for eX- ample, in respect of its mechanical advantage, is such that the pull on the rope required to initiate opening of panels 15 and 16, i.e. the first-to-open pair, is less than that required to initiate opening, or tenting, of panels 13 and 14, the second-to-open pair. Varying 'the length of arm 45,'or varying the weight and/or size 'of panels 15 and 16 will, of course, also affect the pull requirements on the rope to' initiate opening. Likewise the location of 'pulley 66 Will affect the pull requirements to initiate opening of panels 13 and 14. Pulley 66 must be located between the confronting edge 8 and the line parallel to saidedge passing through the center of gravity of panel 13 in the structure shown in FIG. 2. The closer the aXis of pulley 66 is to the center 'of gravity, the greater is the pull required to initiate tenting of panels 13 and 14. Thus, it will be appreciated that the pull on the rope or cable required to initiate opening may be predetermined by taking into account the variables mentioned above, and the rope and pulley systems thus designed to insure that the par. of panels hinged to the ships structure of the 'frame defining the opening is the first to open, and the remaining panel, or pair of panels, is second to open.

On closing the cover, the ships rope or cable is again attached to the eye 62 and tensioned to apply a pull at least suflicient to hold the cover fully open. The latches, eg., latches 41 and 42 are released and rope slowly payed out from the ship's winch, not shown. The pull on the rope as closing is initiated is in excess of that required to hold panels 15 and 16 folded together as shown in FIG. 3. As rope 60 is payed out, the pull on the rope falls below that required to hold panels 13 and 14 in folded condition (FIG. 3) so that they Will close first. Thereafter, as rope is further payed out by the ship*s winch the pull on the rope falls below that required to hold panels 15 and 16 in open or folded position, and accordingly these panels then unfold to complete the closure of the opening, or portion of the opening, as the case may be.

For convenience, the foregoing discussion has been limited to a cover system for a single hatchway. It will be understood that this system may be duplicated for several hatchways in a given deck, and for several decks. The system is readily adapted for the weather deck as well as for the "tween" deck or decks.

There has thus been provided an improved non-automatic hatch cover operable by the ship s gear including the normal cargo handling booms, lines, hooks and winches. Expensive hydraulic means carried by each hatch cover for each hatchway in each deck are not requred. These devices are inexpensive to construct and easy to operate with available ship s equipment. The structures of this invention enable the opening and closing of multi-panel closures by attachment of the operator at only one point instead of a plurality of attachment operations thereby saving valuable time.

Other modes of applying the principle of this invention may be employed instead of those specifically set forth above, changes being made as regards the details herein disclosed, provided the elements set forth in any of the following Claims, or the equivalent of such be employed.

It is, therefore, particularly pointed out and claimed as the invention:

1. A rope Operated articulated cover for a framed opening Said cover being pivotally anchored along one edge thereof to said frame and comprising in combination:

(a) a plurality of adjacently aligned cover panels;

supported over Said opening;

(b) hinge means coacting between confronting marginal edges of the panels for l80 of relative rotation between successive panels;

(c) first means for changing the direction of application of force applied at the free end of a rope exten- Sible through the cover, and having a major component of force normal to the cover when in the closed position to a direction substantially parallel to the cover when in opened position said means being mounted on an axis parallel to the hinge aXis and disposed between the hinge aXis and the center of gravity of the panel most remote from said pivotal anchor;

(d) second means for changing the direction of application of force applied at the one end of the part of rope, said second means being mounted on an aXiS parallel to and spaced from the aXis of said hinge means and carried by the panel next adjacent to the panel including the first direction changing means;

(e) a rope reeved between said first and second direction changing means and providing a part of rope coacting between the first and second direction changing means in tension to rotate the panels about the hinge means; and

(f) means for anchoring one end of the rope to the cover.

2. A rope Operated articulated cover for an opening pivotally anchored along one edge thereof comprising in combination:

(a) a pair of adjacently aligned cover panels for covering at least a portion of the opening, each panel having a confronting marginal edge and a free marginal edge, and supported over the opening;

(b) a first hinge coacting between confronting marginal edges of the panels, for 180 of relative rotation between the panels;

(c) a second hinge coacting between an edge of one of the panels and an adjacent edge of the opening for securing the panel thereto;

(d) means coacting between the free end of the other panel and adjacent sides of the opening, for supporting the end relative to the opening said end being movable along the sides of the opening towards the hinged end of the other panel;

(e) first means for changing the direction of application of a force, mounted on the panel adjacent the panel hinged to the opening and on an aXis parallel to the first hinge aXiS and disposed between the hinge aXiS and the center of gravity of the panel;

(f) second means for changing the direction of application of a force, mounted on the other panel on an aXis parallel to, and spaced from, the first hinge aXis;

(g) a rope reeved between the first and second direction changing means and snubbed to the panel With the -first means mounted thereto, the free end of the rope eXtensible through the panel including the first direction changing means and designed to be hooked to a ship's gear for applying force to the rope, whereby the panels are folded together above the opening; and

(h) means for anchoring the rope to the cover.

3. The cover of claim 2, wherein the support means (d) includes a wheeled truck mounted on each side of the panel adjacent its free end, for movement along the edge of the opening as the panels .are folded together.

4. The cover of claim 3, wherein the first direction changing means includes a pulley rotatably mounted in the panel.

5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the second direction changing means includes a pair of pulleys in spaced apart relation, and a guide roller spaced from the pulley closest the first hinge.

6. A rope Operated articulated cover for a framed opening, said cover being pivotally anchored along one edge thereof to said frame and comprising in combination:

(a) four adjacently aligned cover panels supported at opposite edges by said frame;

(b) hinge means coacting between confronting marginal edges of the panels for of relative rotation between successive panels, Said hinge means operating on aXes parallel to the aXiS of the pivotal connection of the cover to said frame;

(c) first means for changing the direction of application of force applied at the free end of a rope and having a major Component of force normal to the cover when in the closed position to a direction substantially parallel to the cover When in opened position, said means being mounted on an aXiS parallel to the hinge aXiS and disposed between the hinge aXiS and the center of gravity of the panel most remote from said pivotal anchor;

(d) second means :for changing the direction of application of force to the .part of rope extending between said first means in the most remote panel and the next adjacent panel and having a major Component of force substantially parallel to the cover when in closed to a direction having a substantial Component of 'force normal to the cover, said second means being mounted on an aXis parallel to and spaced from the aXis of said hinge means and carried by the panel neXt adjacent to the panel including the first direction changing means;

(e) a rope reeved between said first and second direction changing means and providing a part of rope coacting between the most remote panel and the next adjacent panel hinged thereto in tension to rotate the panels about the hinge means;

(f) rope Operated means for folding the panel anchored to Said frame and the panel neXt adjacent thereto, said rope being a -continuation of the rope coacting between said first and Second direction; and

(g) means for anchoring the end of said rope to the cover.

7. The cover of claim 6, wherein the first direction changing means includes:

(l) a first pulley mounted on an aXis disposed between the center of gravity of the most remote panel and its hinged juncture with the neXt adjacent panel, the pulley aXis being .parallel to the hinge aXis; and

(2) a second pulley mounted on an aXis disposed between the center of gravity of the same panel and its free marginal edge, the second pulley aXis also being parallel to the hinge aXis.

8. The cover of claim 7, wherein the second direction changing means includes:

(l) an operating pulley mounted on an axis spaced from the hinge -axis a distance greater than the distance of the center of gravity measured along a line perpendicular to the hinge aXis;

(2) a pair of fair-leader pulleys disposed for engagement with the rope on either side of the aXis of said operating pulley.

9. The cover of claim 8, wherein the means (a) for rotating the rearward panel 'about the pivot aXis includes:

(1) a lever arm secured to the free marginal edge of the panel and eXtending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom;

(2) a -block and tackle System secured to the 'free end of the lever arm and fiXedly mounted adjacent the opening below the panel.

10. The cover of claim 9, Which includes:

(h) means for holding the pairs of folded panels together adjacent the pivot means in opened position.

11. A rope Operated articulated Cover for a framed opening including at least three panels disposed in edgeto-edge relation and having hinge means coacting between parallel confronting edges of said panels for 180 of relative rotation between adjacent panels, means for :pivotally anchoring an edge along a pivot axis parallel to said confronting edges to the frame of said opening, means for supporting the other free edge on the frame of Said opening, means -for supporting the lateral edges of said panels on said frame, a first rope and pulley system designed 'and located for opening and closing .coaction With the first pair of adjacent panels one of Which is anchored to said frame by said anchoring means and including a fixed pulley block and a movable pulley block, and one of Said first pair of panels includes a lever -arm to Which is secured the movable pulley block, a second rope and pulley system designed and located for opening and closing coaction With the panel adjacent said first :pair of panels, the rope of said first system being a continuation of the rope of said Second system, the design of said first rope and pulley System being Such that less pull is required on said rope to open and close said first :pair of adjacent panels than the pull required to open and close the next adjacent panel.

12. A rope Operated articulated cover for a framed opening including four panels disposed in edge-to-edge relation and having hinge means coacting between parallel confronting edges of said panels for 180 of relative rotation between adjacent panels, and defining first and second pairs of panels, means for pivotally anchoring the free edge along a pivot axis parallel to said confronting edges of the first pair of panels to the frame of Said opening, means for supporting said panels on the frame of said opening for movement relative thereto, a first rope and pulley system designed 'and located for opening and closing coaction With the first pair of adjacent panels, one of Which is 'anchored to said frame by said anchoring means, a second rope and pulley system designed and located for opening and closing coaction With the second pair of panels; the rope of said first system being a continuation of the rope of said second system, the design of said first rope and pulley system being such that less pull is required on said rope to open and close said first pair of panels than the pull required to open and close Said second pair of panels.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,664,947 1/1954 Aarvold 114 201 X 3,217,785 11/1965 H'amilton 188 FOREIGN PATENTS 655,199 7/1951 Great Britain. 168,626 9/1959 Sweden.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Prmary Examner.

CHARLES E. O'CONNELL, Examiner.

P. M. CAUN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A ROPE OPERATED ARTICULATED COVER FOR A FRAME OPENING SAID COVER BEING PIVOTALLY ANCHORED ALONG ONE EDGE THEREOF TO SAID FRAME AND COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) A PLURALITY OF ADJACENTLY ALIGNED COVER PANELS; SUPPORTED OVER SAID OPENING; (B) HINGE MEANS COACTING BETWEEN CONFRONTING MARGINAL EDGES OF THE PANELS FOR 180* OF RELATIVE ROTATION BETWEEN SUCCESSIVE PANELS; (C) FIRST MEANS FOR CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF APPLICATION OF FORCE APPLIED AT THE FREE END OF A ROPE EXTENSIBLE THROUGH THE COVER, AND HAVING A MAJOR COMPONENT OF FORCE NORMAL TO THE COVER WHEN IN THE CLOSED POSITION TO A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE COVER WHEN IN OPENED POSITION SAID MEANS BEING MOUNTED ON AN AXIS PARALLEL TO THE HINGE AXIS AND DISPOSED BETWEEN THE HINGE AXIS AND THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF THE PANEL MOST REMOTE FROM SAID PIVOTAL ANCHOR; (D) SECOND MEANS FOR CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF APPLICATION OF FORCE APPLIED AT THE ONE END OF THE PART OF ROPE, SAID SECOND MEANS BEING MOUNTED ON AN AXIS PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM THE AXIS OF SAID HINGE 